Waltrip has switched his car number to 26 for the Daytona 500 in support of the Sandy Hook Special Support Fund. The two-time Daytona 500 winner was set to drive the No. 30 Toyota for Swan Racing in a one-race deal, but the number is being changed to honor the victims. Sandy Hook is the school in Newtown, Conn., where 20 first-graders and six adults were killed by a gunman on Dec. 14.

The No. 26 car was unveiled at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday and had a black and green ribbon on the hood. Waltrip also owns Michael Waltrip Racing and all three entries will run with the “text NEWTOWN to 80888” decal for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 24.

“We’re putting our whole heart around this race and this cause,” Waltrip said.

NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France, Waltrip and others in the sport visited Newtown last week and met with town officials, community leaders, first responders and victims’ families. The visit was kept quiet until the announcement at Daytona.

“We hope it’s something that gives Newtown, and the citizens there and families, something to cheer for and root for, something to break up the sadness,” NASCAR president Mike Helton said.

Waltrip said he was proud to raise money for the fund, and was touched to meet families who told him how much the dedication meant to them.

The Sandy Hook support fund raises funds to help with the immediate financial and mental health needs for people impacted by shooting. The fund was designed to meet the needs of the Newtown community.

France, and his wife, Amy, made a $50,000 donation to the fund that will be matched by The NASCAR Foundation.

Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s senior vice president of racing operations, said officials have also urged drivers to get an ImPACT test before this season.

“We’ve encouraged them all to get that, with the emphasis that in 2014 that almost likely will be mandated for all of them,” O’Donnell said Thursday at Daytona International Speedway. “We’re in the process of doing that right now. We’re educating them on what it is, how it works, and we’ll come back with that for the 2014 preseason.”

The test is used by many professional sports leagues, including the NFL, to assess concussions and determine when an injured athlete can safely return to play. The ImPACT test has transformed the way concussions are managed by giving a tangible measure of what’s going on in the brain. It’s a computer-based series of fast-paced quizzes involving words, pictures and colors. Scores reflect how quickly and correctly the questions are answered.

Spurrier: Clowney not quitting on his team

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said star defensive end Jadeveon Clowney doesn’t want to quit on his team and is looking forward to playing football for the Gamecocks.

Clowney’s status become a trending topic this week, with some columnists suggesting the sophomore might sit out the season to protect his health and likely high draft position in 2014. Spurrier said Clowney wants to improve himself this fall.

Clowney is taking part in winter workouts with the team. He’s expected to be on the field when the Gamecocks open spring practice March 5.

Spurrier said those suggesting Clowney take the year off don’t understand the value of team competition.

Alabama hires Steele, Stevenson for staff

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama coach Nick Saban has hired former Clemson defensive coordinator Kevin Steele as director of player personnel and high school coach Kerry Stevenson as director of player development.

Saban announced the hiring Thursday of Steele to direct recruiting efforts, assists with camps and clinics and handle other administrative and operational duties for the two-time defending national champions.

Steele was Clemson’s defensive coordinator from 2009-11 but stepped down after Clemson allowed a bowl-record 70 points in an Orange Bowl loss to West Virginia. The former Baylor head coach worked with defensive coordinator Kirby Smart as Alabama’s defensive head coach in 2007 and 2008.

“He did an excellent job here previously, and he knows our program from a recruiting standpoint as well as anyone,” Saban said. “His organizational skills and people skills make him a perfect fit for this role. As recruiting in college football has evolved through the years, this position is one of the most important on our staff.”

“I’ve worked at some great schools through the years, and nobody does it better than coach Saban when it comes to running a program top to bottom,” he said. “I’ve got family in the state and we love Tuscaloosa, so we are thrilled to be back.”

Stevenson spent the past 10 years as head coach at Vigor in Prichard, Ala., going 15-0 and winning a state title in 2008.

Stevenson’s main focus will be off-the-field activities of Alabama players.